Music
Northwestern’s music department is dedicated to a Christ-centered and holistic educational process that will draw you toward musical maturity so you might transform the world. The music department has the following goals for you:
- You will develop a greater understanding of the integration of the Christian faith and your life as a musician.
- You will grow in musical maturity through development in critical thinking, creative self-expression, musical sensitivity and artistry. This growth will enable you to transform the world through your work in music education, ministry-related positions, other music-related career work, graduate school, further professional or technical training, and/or vocational positions.
- You will develop musical and academic skills necessary for cognition in the structure, history, theory and techniques of music.
- You will demonstrate musical understanding and growth through active music making and listening.
Requirements:
Class or private instruction in major area: 4 credits
Ensemble participation: 2 credits
MUS 111 - Music Theory I
(2 credits) This course will teach the fundamentals necessary for performing, composing/arranging, teaching, directing, writing about, and recording/producing music. Related topics such as music history, performance practice and music technology are also explored and an in-depth study is made of the Christian perspective on music and music-making. Prerequisite for 111: MUS101 or passing score on diagnostic placement exam.Note: Includes 1 1/2 hours of lab per week.
MUS 112 - Music Theory II
(2 credits) This course will teach the fundamentals necessary for performing, composing/arranging, teaching, directing, writing about, and recording/producing music. Related topics such as music history, performance practice and music technology are also explored and an in-depth study is made of the Christian perspective on music and music-making. Prerequisite for 111: MUS101 or passing score on diagnostic placement exam.Note: Includes 1 1/2 hours of lab per week.
MUS 211 - Music Theory III
(4 credits) This course will teach the fundamentals necessary for performing, composing/arranging, teaching, directing, writing about, and recording/producing music. Related topics such as music history, performance practice and music technology are also explored and an in- depth study is made of the Christian perspective on music and music-making.Note: Includes 1 1/2 hours of lab per week.
MUS 212 - Music Theory IV
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course will teach the fundamentals necessary for performing, composing/arranging, teaching, directing, writing about, and recording/producing music. Related topics such as music history, performance practice and music technology are also explored and an in- depth study is made of the Christian perspective on music and music-making.Note: Includes 1 1/2 hours of lab per week.
MUS 301 - Basic Conducting
(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course is designed to assist students in developing a basic conducting technique. Skills are taught which enable the student to direct vocal and instrumental groups. Included in the course are studies in transposition, clef reading and score preparation. Prerequisite: MUS112.
MUS 317WI - History of Music I
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) (Writing intensive) Music history courses present a summary of the chronological development of music in western civilization. Music from Antiquity through the late 18th century is covered. Prerequisite: MUS112, junior class standing or permission of instructor.
MUS 318AE - History of Music II
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) (NWCore option under Aesthetic Experience) Music history courses present a summary of the chronological development of music in western civilization. Music from the late 18th century through the present is covered. Prerequisite: MUS112, junior class standing or permission of instructor.
MUS 320CC - World Musics
(3 credits, alternate years, consult department) (NWCore option under Cross-Cultural Engagement) Music is an integral part of every culture. By studying the music of other cultures, including the way music relates to faith, power, societal structure, and daily life, students will be able to better understand, love, and treat people from other cultures with justice. This class will give students tools from the field of ethnomusicology to engage with the music of the world's people through listening, observing, researching and music-making.
Choose one course: *
MUS 133 - Piano Class Intermediate II
(1 credit) This class is designed for students with limited experience in piano. Beginning class is for the student with no piano background or very little prior instruction. Intermediate class is for the student who reads melodic lines and has some previous keyboard experience. Advanced class is for the student who has had a few years of keyboard instruction and wishes to broaden repertoire. Placement in appropriate level is by permission of instructor.Note: May be repeated.
MUS 251 - Piano Lessons
(1-2 credits) Private instruction. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.Note: Lessons are 30 minutes in length. Lessons are offered every term and may be repeated. MUS252, Lead Sheet Piano does not count toward class or private instruction in piano requirement for majors or minors. An advanced student may elect to take an hour lesson each week in his/her major area of performance. Practice and repertoire requirements are doubled.
Cognate requirements:
PHI 238BR - Philosophy of the Arts
No course description available.
Total credits required: 38
Notes:
*Students with a piano emphasis must substitute 1 credit of class or private lessons in a secondary area.
All music majors must complete the Piano Proficiency Exam, and are required to take piano class/lessons each semester until passing the Piano Proficiency requirements.
Following a music placement exam, students will either be placed in Music Theory I (MUS111) or Music Fundamentals (MUS101). MUS101 does not count toward a music major, music ministry major or minor.
Recommended course for voice emphasis: MUS217 (Vocal Pedagogy) or MUS218 (Vocal Diction).
Recommended course for piano emphasis: MUS214 (Piano Pedagogy) or MUS216 (Survey of Piano Literature).
Recommended course for organ emphasis: MUS222 (Survey of Organ Literature).
